Seeing red today. Red is the “it” color for Fall this year and when I saw these Tsubo sneakers on their site, I initially thought I should go with a more neutral shoe since red has never really been my color. These are different though, they’re darker and closer to a rich wine which is why I decided to live a little and go with these Ayumu High Tops. So glad I did because I actually love these sneakers. Finally I can wear a color that doesn’t make my skin more red!

If you’re like me and prefer sneakers over heels, the only way I’ll wear a dress nowadays are with pumped up kicks. They instantly make anything feminine a bit tougher, a bit cooler, and ultimately much more comfortable.

Also worth mentioning, these high tops have supportive insoles like my other Tsubo boots and are platform as well. Really good for the puddles that’ll be popping up as the weather changes.

Maiden Lane, San Francisco

Per my last post, I’ve really flipped for Tsubo and for good reason :) Why wear something that you’re not connected to or genuinely love?

Finally, a perfect match. Rarely do I get an opportunity where a brand and I fit together cohesively in every single vein possible. I don’t think that’s ever happened until just last week. Enter Tsubo, a Japanese rooted shoe brand that silently screams bad ass street style and one I’m excited to be wearing.

Some will say it’s “just a shoe,” but for me there’s a feeling I get wearing a brand that is somehow connected to my Japanese roots. Ask any Japanese American (specifically in LA) and you’ll hear and feel a sense of pride when they talk about anything related to Japanese food, pop culture, fashion, or products. I’m in that camp for sure. Which is why I love sporting brands like these.

All of Tsubo’s shoes remix casual and sporty style into one. In a nutshell, that essentially is me. Casual over dressy. Sneakers over heels. And they are all under $160.

I’m wearing the Airi Chelsea Boot which is probably the most versatile boot I own now. It’s even got a foam insole making it comfy enough to run after FedEx trucks with. By the way, Tsubo in Japanese essentially translates to “pressure point” which is rather fitting don’t ya think?

It is my hope to do another Father Daughter trip to Japan sometime next year. I miss everything about it and can see these booties adventuring all over Tokyo. For now, SF will have to do.

Thank you Tsubo for spawning a more personal entry. Amazing what a great pair of shoes can do :) Part II with Tsubo will be on Monday. Thank you for reading!

Don’t sweat the small stuff, I never do. Having always favored being comfy over everything, you’ll probably see me wearing these Tobisweats for a long long time. If you’re looking for an alternative to skin tight yoga gear, I’d highly recommend the jogger pant.

This style isn’t for everyone as most people think it may seem bulky, but I think it’s super cool and a bit reminiscent of the Spice Girl days. If you have slight hesitation, here are a few tips below to keep in mind when picking out a pair of joggers for yourself. Thanks for reading!

Look for a tapered pant, it should be a skinnier leg to create a streamline silhouette

Look for a high waist to cinch the waistline and create a smaller frame

Pick a sneaker that is elevated. It’ll create a longer line from the pant hem to the ground.

These Tobipants were not hemmed or altered, but if you want that perfect fit I’d make sure you know your inseam beforehand.

P.S. For all my East Bay readers, Snow White Coffee is my favorite gem at the tail end of Piedmont Ave. Pop on in next time you want a really good cuppa :D

Fall is and will always be my favorite season no matter where I am. SF is sweater weather year round, and in LA a good jacket with shorts or a skirt used to be my favorite daily ensemble.

Being in the Bay Area, pants and denim are a safer choice, but these stretchy flares from Norma Kamali (Revolve.com) had me thinking I should have a little more fun this Fall. What do you think?

And of course, I can’t leave the house without my favorite jacket that I’ve been wearing non stop. This military jacket from LA brand Velvet Heart is just light enough, and has incredible embroidering details on the sleeves. You’ll be seeing this jacket often.

What are you most looking forward to Fall? *Please don’t say pumpkin spice latte…

P.S If you find yourself in the Marina District of San Francisco, make a stop at Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters. Their coffee, thankfully is not acidic and their wallpaper is just the cutest :D

Serious question. Where did Summer go? Even with a little change in the air here in the Bay Area, you’ll still see me in cut offs for as long as I can get away with em. I decided to tie up Summer’s loose ends (while I work on some Fall content) with my favorite button up shirt that has been on rotation the past few weeks. This LA brand won me over instantly, and I think you’ll love Velvet Heart‘s staples too.

There’s plenty of ways to wear a button down, but here are 2 variations.

Look 1: Tie it up with a high waist

Look 2: Wear it under overalls. It’s Fall, after all.

What personal spin do you put on a basic dress shirt? Let me know in the comments.

Long time no see everyone, I’ve been trying to hold on to summer’s last bits of sun in La Jolla, San Diego the past week. I’m no stranger to SD, however I haven’t been back in what seems like forever so this was a fun trip to not only relax but also to spend some time with our friend Shelli and her family. @Twelfthknight and I stayed in La Jolla’s Hyatt Regency, and if you make a trip out here I would highly recommend this location, just 20 minutes north of the airport and super close to the beach and fun eateries.

Needless to say, we spent an incredible amount of time stretched out in our cabana and in the pool soaking up that vitamin D. Hopefully my tan stays around for another few weeks into Fall *fingers crossed. Speaking of fingers, yes I am engaged! For my Instagram community, you were the first to know a while ago, but yes…@Twelfthknight and I are now engaged. If you’re not following @shoes_and_sashimi on Instagram, I wish you would because I just can’t keep up blogging like I used to. Besides, it’s a way to see what I’m up to each day, so don’t be shy!

Below you will find some of my swim and sun favorites used and worn this past week. P.S…of all the coffee shops in SD, my favorite has to be Communal Coffee which also acts as a flower shop.

Maybe you’re looking to get away to San Diego one of these days? I would come back to La Jolla’s Hyatt Regency in a heart beat.

My trick to traveling light and fast: A Lo and Son’s backpack. This fits my mac, camera, water bottle, toiletries, keys, wallet, and then some. Plus, it has memory foam straps and just slides on to your luggage handle for efficiency.

I would write something poetic here, but I think this quote just sums up everything I’ve been thinking lately for I’ve been in quite the creative rut. Maybe this will spark some inspo, for the both of us.

I’ve been on the go all summer I feel like, from the East Bay to The City, to Peninsula, and then to many wine country weekend trips and an overnighter in Modesto… it’s been a little hectic to say the least. I’m a professional nomad (and a well seasoned one I might add) even when I lived in Los Angeles, so until @Twelfthknight and I secure a place for ourselves I will continue to live and work like this until we find a home.

I got a bit stir crazy a few weeks ago and wanted so badly to trade the traffic and noise for cactus and wide open spaces like Palm Springs. Palm Springs never happened, but I did find this cactus garden in Palo Alto one day, and low and behold I felt like I had just teleported myself somewhere far away.

I look back on the last few weeks and realized this was a good reminder to find peace within your little sanctum. Whether it be carving out time to mediate, deep breathe, intentionally disconnect, or just sit and be still without judgment. Take a walk around the block, sniff flower bushes, or sit in the sun for 10 minutes…I think it’s important to allow yourself that each day. We’re so busy running around, wasting away in traffic, and being plugged in that we forget about what it’s like to be still or one with nature.

Let me tell ya, the suite life is the best life. @Twelfthknight and I love our staycations, and it was only right that I treat him to an early birthday getaway in wine country this past week. It was our first time to Healdsburg, and to be quite honest…we like this quaint beautiful town much more than Napa or Sonoma itself.

235 Luxury Suites is nestled in the heart of downtown Healdsburg and it’s an incredible 3 bedroom stay for couples, families, or small parties. It’s incredibly charming, cozy yet spacious, and still feels familiar like home. We stayed in the Fitch Mountain Suite, decked out with a huge spa tub that I used nightly, dual walk in showers, and giant CA Kings in each room. 235 pays attention to the tiniest details which is what we loved. They even offer light, medium, or hard pillows so that you can sleep optimally :D I’m a firm by the way.

Cheers to the suite life!

This hotel is located a few steps away from the square of downtown Healdsburg, so you really don’t need to drive anywhere in town. You’re within a few steps to wine lounges, Safeway, Farmer’s Market, bakeries, and coffee shops. In fact, we never drove the entire time we were there, unless you count an Uber briefly. So convenient right?

We would absolutely stay here at 235 again, it felt like a true getaway but so comfortable like being at home. If you’re ever looking to get away and relax in wine country’s hidden gem, I highly urge you to visit Healdsburg. After exploring this little town, we didn’t want to leave, but we look forward to our next trip!

Below, you’ll find our favorite spots and recommendations if you fancy a trip out here yourself. Cheers and thank you for reading!

Dinner service was spectacular. Chef Dustin is a rockstar and provided a 5 course tasting menu that blew us away. Valette is the newest kid on the block in downtown Healdsburg and it’s one of those fine dining experiences you’ll have engrained in your memory for a long long time. Below are some of our favorite highlights.

Downstairs in the 235 hotel courtyard lives Cafe Lucia where Portuguese food meets Wine Country. @Twelfthknight has been to Spain and he talks about the tapas and paella there all the time. Naturally, we came down for lunch and we still talk about their food, overwhelmingly gracious hospitality, and service.

We visited Kelly and Noah of Reeve Wines our second day in Healdsburg and we loved tasting all of their small batch wines. Their estate is picturesque and currently undergoing some exciting renovations which we look forward to seeing on our next trip up. Our favorite wine of theirs were their chilled rose which we had to take home with us. *P.S. Noah is the co-founder and Head wine maker at Banshee Wines in downtown Healdsburg and Reeve is a labor of love by night. Visiting Reeve Wines honestly felt like going to see your friends (who happened to have a winery) and it’s just fun, relaxing, and comfortable. Cheers!

Siduri is located literally a few steps from 235 Hotel. There’s something to be said for the decor and open window/day bed seating that attracts so many people aside from their delicious wine and pairings. I especially liked their cheese board with their pinot and would recommend sitting by the window while you sip and people watch.

Ohayou gozaimasu, long time no see everyone :) What a life altering trip this has been. Never have I ever felt more comfortable, genuinely happy, and above all; complete as a human being. Before I get into this, I’d just like to say I am particularly ever grateful to the Shinkawa family for their over the top generosity, love, and hospitality. You are family.

Second, thank you Dad for doing what you do. All I have ever done is try to learn from you in business. It’s not always easy being your daughter, but for everyone else it’s an enviable position. Thirdly, thank you Shelli for coming to Japan with me. You are the most ideal travel buddy a gal can ask for. A true friend indeed. This was one for the books and I hope to do it again :)

Some of you on Instagram asked me if I speak Japanese, because you could kind of hear a slight accent or slur in my voice on my InstaStories. I should mention that when I was really young, my brother and I took Japanese lessons where we could read and write better than speak. I wish that my Granny would have kept the verbal part going at home because I spent the last month relearning everything and then some. What’s nice is that language and those sounds never really go away. I landed, and all of a sudden basic sentences start flying outta my mouth. My driver could understand me, then locals assumed I spoke fluently (which really tripped me out) and it’s like I just fit into the fibers after that.

6/2/17: SFO – Haneda Airport flying JAL with my monogrammed Mon Purse goods. I watched Beauty and the Beast and The Great Wall, ate a delicious bento box for dinner, and zonked out.

Key Tip: Arrange for a pocket wifi before you get to the airport or hotel. A few of you on Instagram were curious as to how I was using video and posting so much! This little cell pack is picked up at the airport, you plug in, and you’re up and running on secure network. Not once did I use data on this trip. Plus, the cell pack holds a 12hr battery charge!

Check in 6/3/17: Hotel Mitsui Garden Premier, Ginza Tokyo. Our home for a while. I loved staying here. The views of Tokyo are panoramic, a 9 min walk to Tsukiji Fish Market, 3 min to Shimbashi Station (the subway), and chock full of tiny delicious curry houses. I would absolutely stay here again, and hopefully soon.

I shot with photographer Kristine here at famous Tsukiji Market one morning before lunch. I had met her through Instagram and loved her work. Next thing you know we’re shooting in the heart of the fish market, dodging bikes, giant squid, and fish mongers :D It was getting warm, so afterwards Shelli came to meet us for some fresh sashimi bowls (you may have caught this on Instastories.) Eating here is nothing short of mind blowing. We won’t be eating sashimi or fish in the states for a very long time….

A Typical Morning: Jet lag unfortunately hit around 2am for me, however we really liked waking up at 6am naturally to start our day. On average we would walk about 13,000 steps on a non shrine day. We would wake up, eat breakfast or go to the 7-11 or Lawsons for quick coffee and Japanese pastries. 7-11’s here are nothing like the U.S. Here you can eat cheaply and incredibly well for the super hungry or super tired. It’s just plain ridiculous I tell ya. Just ask Anthony Bourdain.

Local’s Favorites: One morning we visited Kanako at her Local Coffee Stand. I was beginning to miss American lattes and I was getting those caffeine headaches late in the day. Here at Local Coffee Stand, they serve exceptional ones (even though the coffee in Japan is pretty good.) Kanako is the daughter of Fumito Shinkawa, my Dad’s dear friend and business buddy here in Tokyo. We have known her since she was in elementary school and when Shinkawa was not in the office, he was taking us out for dinner, drinks, site seeing, and day trips that inevitably turned into ridiculous adventures.

It is high hydrangea season here, this flower market was one of my favorites in Aoyama with a tea and pastry cafe in the back.

Soft Serve: I legitimately had about 1 soft serve cone every day. It was perfect weather for it, 75-80 degrees with no humidity and cool breeze. The soft serve here is not very sweet at all unlike the stuff they sling in the U.S. Shinkawa took us to a Premium Matcha Soft Serve in Asakusa on our first exploring day, and he was elated because the line was out the door and around the corner. It was worth the wait because our taste buds were blown.

Matcha cone in Harajuku, wearing Via Spiga sandals. I was so happy because I ordered and paid for my cone in Japanese with no hesitation. This was Day 3 and Shelli and I were getting really good at ordering quickly.Kyoto ConeI’m not one for malls, but Omotesando’s entrance to the mall in Harajuku is actually art. Ride the escalator up and you’re surrounded by displaced mirrors.Harajuku cornersSit down // Be humble (in Via Spiga)

All these people and not once did I feel lost.

Yoyogi Park: One of our favorite park days here in Tokyo. Mrs. Shinkawa took the day prancing around with us here. It’s kind of like entering another world even though you’re in the heart of Harajuku and Shibuya district. She said to not walk in the middle of the path because “you will trip the Gods.” Here, we went to the temple, bowed and prayed to the wealth and marriage tree, and even witnessed a Japanese wedding that was more fit for royalty (you probably saw that on InstaStories.) What’s more fun is that we wrote our names on a copper plate for the new roof of the temple, so we will forever be permanent here :)

Summer Style: I knew it was going to be warm, but the weather actually was perfect. Mid 70’s-low 80’s with almost no humidity and breezy evenings. June is the start of tropical rain, and we only experienced one evening of that. I packed quite light for this trip and wore my hat nearly every day. My best advice would be to pack hats and shoes you can walk long distances in. Luckily, I brought the whole Via Spiga and Franco Sarto shoe collection with me and not one blister.

Men are always in fitted suits. School children are in uniform with little hats, they’re the cutest. Hell, dogs are better dressed here than most humans. Women all dress very well and on the conservative side. They’re usually wearing a sun hat and flowy pants or skirts. You’ll hear their little heels running through the train station or sandals paired with linen pants or sundresses. It’s really fun to people watch and take inspiration from how they like to wear their clothes.

Kyoto: Unfortunately, we did not spend enough time in Kyoto. Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, it is about a 2.5 hr trip. We kept our hotel and made accommodations at the same Mitsui in Kyoto. Upon arriving (around 10am) we threw our over night bags into the lobby, packed up the cameras, and walked to famous Nishiki Market for street food before our adventures to the shrines. You saw the video I took at this market…it’s complete and utter sensory overload. What you didn’t see is me knawing on a King crab leg that nearly made me black out. Shelli nearly fainted when she ate her made to order yakiniku (beef skewer.) I personally still think about that fresh matcha manju with matcha powder coating my lil face. I could spend all day here, but we had things to see.

Walking shoes for our first Temple in Kyoto: Kiyomizu- DeraCan you see the little temple poking out? We hiked way up, the air is indeed fresher here.

Nara: Nara Park, in Kyoto is home to the bowing deer. These deer are presumed to be messengers of the Gods and are symbols of this city. They do indeed bow for your cookies which is incredibly charming. I’ve had plenty of conversations with the little ones. A few males got aggressive and head butted me while I paid for their cookies, but I let that go a long time ago:D

Fushimi Inari Taisha aka The Fox Shrine: Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of Inari and one of the most famous in all of Kyoto. This is a very iconic spot, so maybe you have seen the infamous Torii Gates before. It’s unreal in person. It’s almost eerily haunting when you pass through the tunnel of red gates, and there are indeed 1,000 of them leading you up the mountain. Torii gates are here to symbolize leaving of the physical world and entering the spiritual one. This is why you’ll see people clap three times and bow upon entering a gate or shrine to summon the Gods before making an offering (or wish.)

Protect this house.

Walking with a Ghost

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for continuing to read and follow along with me. Everyone says Japan is a magical place, and they are true for saying that. But, for those who are Japanese and Japanese American, there is an internal feeling and sense of pride (at least for me) that makes you a more complete and whole human being. And it’s simply just being surrounded by your people. Not once did I feel lost in translation.

I watched little elementary kids give up their seats and usher elderly into them on the train. It damn near made me tear up. Everything is clean, shiny, and spotless. Not once did I see a homeless person. Are there homeless in Japan? People bow and are gracious, helpful, and kind. The food, regardless of who you are, you will always eat well and never go hungry.